Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
Philip is about to begin to guide you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Time
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator informs us.
Countdown
The last moments is on.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to advance of Q1 once more on Friday. The team have as a result made changes to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
